疑問符(ぎもんふ)

ぎもんふ
noun
question mark
language
1. question mark
The punctuation mark (?) used to indicate a question.
文(ぶん)の最後(さいご)に疑問符(ぎもんふ)をつける。
Put a question mark at the end of the sentence.
日本語(にほんご)では疑問符(ぎもんふ)を使(つか)わないことも多(おお)い。
In Japanese, question marks are often not used.
疑問符(ぎもんふ)と感嘆符(かんたんふ)の使(つか)い分(わ)けを覚(おぼ)えましょう。
Let's learn the difference between question marks and exclamation marks.
2. doubt; skepticism; question
A figurative expression of doubt or uncertainty about something, as in 'casting doubt upon.'
その説明(せつめい)には疑問符(ぎもんふ)がつく。
That explanation raises questions.
彼(かれ)の能力(のうりょく)に疑問符(ぎもんふ)が付(つ)けられている。
Doubts have been cast on his ability.
計画(けいかく)の実現性(じつげんせい)に大(おお)きな疑問符(ぎもんふ)がつくと専門家(せんもんか)は指摘(してき)した。
Experts pointed out that there are major questions about the plan's feasibility.

Composed of 疑問(ぎもん) (question, doubt) + 符(ふ) (mark, symbol). The literal sense (punctuation mark) and the figurative sense (doubt) are both very common. The figurative use with 疑問符(ぎもんふ)がつく is a set expression meaning that something is questionable or doubtful.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 感嘆符(かんたんふ) — exclamation mark (!); the companion punctuation mark
  • 疑問(ぎもん) — doubt, question; the base noun without the punctuation/symbol meaning
  • はてなマーク — question mark (casual); used in everyday speech, especially when referring to the symbol visually

Related Words

Compare: 感嘆符(かんたんふ) (exclamation mark)
general
Added 2026.4.18 22:15 · Revised 2026.10.18 21:24
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